SKU: TI00500

Ilex opaca - American Holly is a familiar evergreen tree with dark-green, spiky leaf tips. New growth pushes off the old leaves in spring. Grows slowly and makes good ornamental tree in landscape. Plant in areas where there will be no weed pulling or bare foot walking (ouch!) Songbirds, gamebirds and mammals eat the berries. Used as cover and nesting sites for wildlife. Deer resistant, deer will only browse if preferred food is unavailable. Endangered red-cockaded woodpecker has been known to nest in holly wood cavities. American Holly is resistant to damage from salt spray.

Height: 15-50 feet
Spread: 18-40 feet
Zone: 5 to 9
Soil type: clay, loam, sandy, sandy-loam
Soil pH: 4-7.5
Light: Full sun, part-shade, Full-shade
Moisture: Medium
Flowers: May-June, white or creamy
Fruit: Sept-Feb, red berry
Fall color: none, evergreen

Wildlife value: Songbirds, gamebirds, mammals eat fruit, cover, nesting sites, larval host for Henrys Elfin Butterfly
Notes of Interest: American Indians used holly medicinally, the wood for wood carving, and the berries to make a dye.

Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , DC
Native Distribution: VA to n. FL w. to s.e. MO & e. TX; also coastal areas from MA to MD
Native Habitat: VA to n. FL w. to s.e. MO & e. TX; also coastal areas from MA to MD